Device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a heel unit or a toe unit of a ski binding

ABSTRACT

A display device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a heel unit of a ski binding, comprising display elemets that are operatively associated to the force-adjusting component by way of an interconnection element, which is associated to a main body of the toe unit or the heel unit. The interconnection element is activated by an axial shift of the force-adjusting component along the main body of the toe unit or a heel unit of the ski binding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly the toe unit or the heel unit of a ski binding.

[0002] It is known that a ski binding generally comprises a toe unit and a heel unit, which are aimed at clamping a ski boot during ski practice. Known toe and heel units generally comprise a resilient element, which is designed to determine the clamping force applied by such toe/heel units to the ski boot.

[0003] An indication of the value of such clamping force is often conveniently displayed in order to permit to select a certain desired value in a quick and precise manner. Conventional types of toe/heel units are known, which are fitted with display devices consisting of a window or aperture, provided on top of the main body of the toe/hell units, presenting at the edge a graduated scale for reading the position of a lower display device. This display device can be directly associated with the resilient element. Alternatively, the display device can be associated to a force-adjusting component, which is generally aimed at adjusting the load of the resilient element. Such force-adjusting component generally comprises a shank that can be activated by the user by hand or by means of a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0004] The main drawback of such known display devices consists in that a minimum variation in the compression of the resilient element leads to an equally reduced shift of the display element in relation to the graduated scale, but, at the same time, to a substantial variation in the clamping force exerted by the heel unit (or the toe unit). For this reason the user has often considerable problems in reading the graduated scale and the correct adjustment of the clamping force might be difficult. This fact might lead to possible danger for the skier's safety in the event of an excessively reduced or high clamping force. It is well known that an insufficient clamping force can cause a sudden and unwanted opening of the ski binding, for example if there is much stress on the ski or on the boot when turning at high speed. On the contrary an excessive and undesired clamping force may lead to a failed opening of the ski binding during a fall, with consequent possible injury, in particular to the skier's knee ligaments.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,467 discloses a heel unit of a ski binding, which comprises a pivoting pincer fitted with means for the display of the opening force of the ski binding proper, such as a window at the top of said heel unit, which is graduated at the edge and designed to display a lower indication plate. This plate, provided with a trapezoidal shape, has a groove at the bottom, in the shape of the arc of a circle with its centre on the point of rotation of the pincer. Such a groove is designed for the sliding of a first pin protruding from the top of a slider. Such slider slides axially in contrast to a spring along a track provided on the pincer in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the same. The slider has also a second lower pin designed to interact with a screw for adjusting an elastically compressible element, designed to determine the opening force of the pincer.

[0006] In one of the described embodiments, such screw is provided with a free end, which interacts with the elastically compressible element having a surface suitably inclined along a transverse plane. In this way, a rotation of the screw results in a proportional and upper axial shift of the cursor, thereby causing a corresponding shift also of the indication plate.

[0007] Although not fully solving the aforementioned drawbacks, this solution leads to a partial amplification of the axial shift of the screw. Unfortunately, there still is the shortcoming that this amplification is not linear but basically depends on the conformation of the free end of the screw. Therefore, the regulation by the user is still difficult. Further, this partial amplification is additionally limited by a rotation of no more than 180° of the screw, since there could even be a receding of the position of the cursor with a further rotation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to provide a display device for the display of the position of a force-adjusting component of a ski binding, particularly a force-adjusting component of a toe unit or heel unit of a ski binding, which permits a clear display of the adjustment of the clamping force exerted on a ski boot by the heel unit or the toe unit.

[0009] Within this aim, another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that allows the user to make a precise and at the same time immediate adjustment of the clamping force.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that is sturdy and compact, not subjected to wear and not requiring particular maintenance.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that is structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.

[0012] Thus, the present invention provides a display device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a heel unit of a ski binding, which is characterised in that it comprises display means that are operatively associated to said force-adjusting component by way of an interconnection element, such interconnection element being activated by an axial shift of the force-adjusting component along the main body of the toe unit or heel unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the display device, according to the present invention, will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the acccompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a heel unit of a ski binding fitted with the display device, according to the present invention;

[0015]FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the operation of the display device, according to the present invention; and

[0016]FIG. 4 is a partially sectional side view of a rear portion of a heel unit of a ski binding, incorporating the display device, according to the present invention.

[0017] The display device, according to the present invention, will be described with particular reference to a force-adjusting component of the heel unit of a ski binding. This is in no way intended to limit the field of application of the display device, which can indeed be advantageously applied, with simple adaptations, also to a toe unit for a ski binding. Such adaptations are fully within the capability of those skilled in the art and do not modify the inventive concept of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] With reference to the above figures, reference number 1 designates a preferred embodiment of the display device, according to the present invention. The display device 1 is aimed at providing the user with information related to the value of the clamping force exerted by the heel unit 2 (or the toe unit, not shown) of the ski binding. For this aim, the display device 1 provide indications related to the position of a force-adjusting component designated by reference numerals 3 and 7 of a heel unit 2.

[0019] In this embodiment, the force-adjusting component comprises a shank 3, which is aimed at adjusting the clamping force of the heel unit 2 to the ski boot (not shown).

[0020] In particular, the shank 3 is advantageously provided with a cylindrical shape and is at least partially threaded along the external lateral surface 4. In this manner, the shank 3 can be screwed into a counter-threaded seat provided to the rear of the main body 5 of the heel unit 2. The shank 3 may advantageously comprise a hollow 6, which is designed to partially hold a resilient element 7. The resilient element 7 determines, according to its compression, a certain clamping force to be applied to the ski boot associated to the actual heel unit 2.

[0021] The display device 1 comprises display means 8, which preferably include a slider 9 that slides axially along a guide provided at the bottom and/or the side in the main body 5. The display means 8 are operatively connected to the force-adjusting component 3,7. Thus, the slider 9, which, in this case, by way of example, has an advantageously flat shape, is preferably fitted, near its first front edge 10 a, with a first pin 11 that protrudes from the bottom of the slider 9, approximately at a side portion of the front edge 10 a. The first pin 11 allows a pivoting interconnection between the slider 9 and an interconnection element associated to the main body 5 of the heel unit 2, such as, for example, an underlying connecting arm 12, which is pivotally mounted to the main body 5. In particular, the pin 11 is housed in a first slot 13, provided at one first end 14 a of the arm 12, which is arranged approximately transversely to the main body 5. At the second end 14 b, the arm 12 is pivotally mounted to the main body 5, preferably by way of the interconnection between a second pin 15, protruding from the bottom of the second end 14 b, and a second hole 16 provided vertically in the main body 5.

[0022] In the display device 1, the interconnection element 12 is activated by an axial shift of the force-adjusting component 3 along the main body 5 of the heel unit 2.

[0023] For this aim, between the first and second end 14 a and 14 b of the arm 12, and in particular between the slot 13 and the second pin 15, activation means are provided, which are arranged so as to interact with the shank 3. These activation means advantageously comprise a third pin 17 protruding from the bottom of a central portion of the arm 12 to interact with the free end 18 of the shank 3.

[0024] In this way, upon screwing of the shank 3 into its seat, there is a compression of the resilient element 7, until it achieves a predefined support (not shown), and therefore a thrust of the third pin 17, thereby causing a rotation of the arm 12 around the second pin 15 and, consequently, a translation of the slider 9. The distance between the main axis of the second pin 15 and the main axis of the first pin 11 of the slider 9 is advantageously greater than the distance between the main axis of the second pin 15 and the main axis of the third pin 17. In this manner, the translation exerted on the slider 9 by a rotation of the arm 12 is greater than the axial shift of the shank 3.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment the third pin 17 is approximately equidistant between the first and the second pin 11 and 15. Thus, the translation of the slider 9 is approximately double compared to the shift of the shank 3. Of course, the distance between the pins might be different from that illustrated, thereby resulting in an even greater amplification of the shift of the shank 3. It should be noticed that, in any case, the amplification of the shift is approximately linear, with great advantage for the user during the adjustment of the clamping force exerted by the heel unit 2.

[0026] The position of the slider 9 may be read by the user through an index mark 19 provided along the same slider 9. This index mark is advantageously positioned close to a graduated scale 20 integral with the main body 5 of the heel unit 2. This graduated scale 20 may advantageously be provided on at least one of the longitudinal edges of a rectangular opening 21 made in a plate 22 arranged above the slider 9. The rectangular plate 22 is suitably located in a seat 23 that may be inspected by lifting a cover 24 transversely and pivotally mounted on the main body 5. To permit the return of the slider 9 in a retracted position, following the loosening of the shank 3, a separate resilient means of return such as a cylindrical spring 25 is provided. This return spring 25, preloaded during screwing of the shank, is arranged between one tongue 26, protruding from the main body 5, and the second rear edge 10 b of the slider 9.

[0027] Operation is therefore as follows: with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the screwing down of the threaded shank 3 causes a counter-clockwise rotation of the arm 12 and a simultaneous amplified translation of the slider 9. At the same time, the spring 25 is compressed due to the forward movement of the slider. FIG. 3 shows that the line 19 is advanced by a much greater length than the shift exerted on the shank 3, which is proportional to the increase exerted on the clamping force. When the user requires a decrease of this force, he will loosen the shank 3 so that the spring 25, upon extending, causes a proportional retraction of the slider 9, keeping the third pin 17 in contact with the free end 18 of the shank.

[0028] The advantage of having an unfixed interconnection between the third pin and the shank enables, for example, shank 3 to be easily removed or to be loosened for a greater travel than that possible by the arm 12.

[0029] It has thus been shown that the present invention has fully achieved the aim and objects, since the display device allows a clear, sure reading of the adjustment of the clamping force exerted by a heel unit (or a toe unit) on a ski boot. The display device, according to the present invention, allows also performing an immediate, precise adjustment to be made of the clamping force. Further, the display device 1 has proven to be sturdy and at the same time compact and structurally somewhat simple, with consequent low manufacturing costs.

[0030] The invention is obviously susceptible to many changes and variations, all falling within the scope of the appended claims. It is possible to achieve a different interconnection between the slider 9, the arm 12 and the shank 3, for example by overturning the position between one of the mentioned pins 11, 15 e 17 and the respective slots, or by forming an interconnection between the third pin 17 and the shank 3, for example making on the latter a seat or a hole for the same third pin 17. In this last case, there is the further advantage of not necessarily having to provide the display device 1 with the return spring 25.

[0031] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2001A000150 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a heel unit of a ski binding, comprising display means that are operatively associated to said force-adjusting component by way of an interconnection element, which is associated to a main body of said toe unit or said heel unit, said interconnection element being activated by an axial shift of said force-adjusting component along the main body of said toe unit or a heel unit.
 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said interconnection element is transversely and pivotally mounted on the main body of said heel unit or toe unit, said interconnection element performing a rotation upon the activation by an axial shift of said force-adjusting component.
 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein said interconnection element comprises an arm provided with a first end and a second end, said display means being pivotally mounted on said first end, said second end being pivotally connected transversely to the main body of said heel unit or said toe unit.
 4. The display device according to claim 3, further comprising activation means, which interact with said force-adjusting component and which are associated to said arm.
 5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein said force-adjusting component comprises a shank for adjusting the load of a resilient element, which is aimed at determining the clamping force of said toe or heel unit on a ski boot, said shank being pivotally connectable to the main body of said heel unit or said toe unit along a longitudinal axis, said activation means being located at a central portion of said arm between the first end and the second end of said arm for interacting with said shank.
 6. The display device according to claim 3, wherein said display means comprises a slider, which slides axially along a guide provided at the bottom and/or at the side of the main body of said heel unit or toe unit.
 7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein said slider is provided, approximately at a first front edge, with a first pin for interconnection to the first end of said arm, said first pin protruding from the bottom of said slider approximately near a lateral edge of said slider, said first pin being housed in a first slot provided at the first end of said arm.
 8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein said arm is provided, at said second end, with a second pin for interconnection to the main body of said heel unit or said toe unit, said second pin protruding from the bottom of the second end of said arm, said second pin being housed in a second slot provided vertically in the main body of said heel or toe unit.
 9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein said activation means comprise a third pin protruding from the bottom of the central portion of said arm, said third pin interacting with a free end of said shank.
 10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein a distance between the main axis of said first pin and the main axis of said second pin exceeds a distance between a main axis of said second pin and a main axis of said third pin.
 11. The display device according to claim 9, comprising resilient means associated to said slider, said resilient means being arranged between a tongue protruding from the main body of said heel unit or said toe unit and a second rear edge of said slider.
 12. A heel unit of a ski binding comprising a display device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a heel unit of a ski binding, further comprising display means that are operatively associated to said force-adjusting component by way of an interconnection element, which is associated to a main body of said toe unit or said heel unit, said interconnection element being activated by an axial shift of said force-adjusting component along the main body of said heel unit.
 13. A toe unit of a ski binding comprising a display device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a heel unit of a ski binding, further comprising display means that are operatively associated to said force-adjusting component by way of an interconnection element, which is associated to a main body of said toe unit or said heel unit, said interconnection element being activated by an axial shift of said force-adjusting component along the main body of said toe unit. 